The Yorkshire Marathon on 18 October, Ghost Week from the 24th, Hallowscream nights and the Christmas Market from 12 November: 40 York dates, with times.

York’s autumn is back to front compared with most towns. The big crowd of the season is not a switch-on or a bonfire but a marathon on Sunday 18 October, and the week that follows it belongs to ghosts: Ghost Week runs from Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November, over the same days as half term. Before then the racecourse closes its season on 9 and 10 October, and the Theatre Royal opens its own production of The Penelopiad on the 10th. November starts with the fireworks at Rawcliffe Bar on Saturday 7 November, and the Christmas Market opens on Thursday 12 November.

Updated 4 October: last week’s shows are gone. Added Hallowscream at York Maze from 9 October, the Dungeon’s new Mother Shipton show, the Ghosts in the Gardens trail and Halloween in Concert at the Barbican.

Updated 2 October: Dame Judi Dench on 8 November and the Ebor Singers on 3 October are now sold out. Added Ghosts After Dark, Jeff Wayne’s War of the Worlds, By Royal Appointment with Jane Asher and the Christmas Market opening.

Everything below was read on 28 September 2026, and rechecked on 2 and 4 October, from the organisers’ own listings: York Theatre Royal’s box office system, the Grand Opera House’s ATG show pages, York Barbican, York Minster, York Museums Trust, the racecourse, parkrun and the rest, each linked so you can check before you set off. Where a price is given it is the lowest the organiser was showing that day; booking fees are on top at most venues. For places that are open whatever the month, see our guide to things to do in York.

This week

  • Present Laughter, Tuesday 6 to Saturday 10 October, 7.30pm, with 2.30pm matinees on Wednesday and Saturday, at the Grand Opera House. Tracy-Ann Oberman plays Geri Essendine in a new production of Noel Coward’s comedy. From £15 on the quieter nights, rising to £38 on Friday and Saturday (ATG Tickets).
  • York Minster autumn lecture, Tuesday 6 October, 6.30pm, in the Lady Chapel. Professor Christopher Norton on the life and miracles of St William in the St William Window. Free, no booking (York Minster).
  • Joe Jackson, Wednesday 7 October, doors 7pm, at York Barbican, Paragon Street, YO10 4AH. Joe Jackson and his band, with songs from throughout his career and the new album Hope and Fury (York Barbican).
  • Hallowscream at York Maze, selected nights from Friday 9 October to Sunday 1 November, gates 6.30pm, last entry 9pm, at Elvington Lane, YO19 5LT. York Maze’s scare park: five haunted houses and over 100 actors, strictly 16+ with photo ID for anyone who looks under 21, no under-16s even with an adult. Online booking only, prices vary by night, plus a £2 per person booking fee (Hallowscream).
  • York Racecourse October Meeting, Friday 9 and Saturday 10 October, gates 11.15am, first race 1.30pm. The last two racedays of the season: Finale Friday, then the Sky Bet Sprint Trophy on Saturday, when the course welcomes returning students in a marquee in the middle of the course (York Racecourse).
  • Mother Shipton at the York Dungeon, Saturday 10 October to Sunday 1 November. A new Halloween show about the Knaresborough prophetess, included in Dungeon admission (The York Dungeon).
  • The Penelopiad, Saturday 10 to Saturday 31 October, at the Theatre Royal’s Main House. Margaret Atwood’s retelling of the Odyssey from Penelope’s side, with songs, in the theatre’s own production directed by Juliet Forster. Evenings 7.30pm, except 6.30pm on Mondays and 7pm on Wednesdays; matinees 2pm Thursday and 2.30pm Saturday. Age 14+ (York Theatre Royal).
  • Ghosts in the Gardens, until Sunday 1 November. 70 ghost sculptures in 32 places around the city centre, from Museum Gardens and Clifford’s Tower to the station. Free and self-guided (York BID).

Next week

  • York Guildhall Orchestra autumn concert, Sunday 11 October, 3pm, at York Barbican. Walton, Arnold’s trumpet concerto and de Falla to open the orchestra’s season (York Barbican).
  • More Secret Histories of Ancient Rome with Mary Beard, Monday 12 October, 7.30pm, at York Barbican (York Barbican).
  • Jekyll & Hyde: Unbound, Monday 12 to Thursday 15 October and Tuesday 27 to Friday 30 October, 7.30pm, at York Medical Society. Christopher Leslie’s one-man version of Stevenson’s story, told by the lawyer Utterson. Strictly 14+. The building has steps at the entrance, so call the Theatre Royal box office for step-free access (York Theatre Royal).
  • York Minster autumn lecture, Tuesday 13 October, 6.30pm, in the Lady Chapel. Dr John Jenkins on St William of York in the later Middle Ages, the last in the series. Free (York Minster).
  • Jeff Wayne’s Musical Version of The War of the Worlds: The Concert Experience, Wednesday 14 October, doors 6.30pm, at York Barbican. The first concert rendition of the double album, with West End performers, a live band, orchestra and animation (York Barbican).
  • Katherine Jenkins, Thursday 15 October, doors 7pm, at York Barbican, on her 25 years in music tour, with support from Jodok Cello (York Barbican).
  • Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, Friday 16 to Saturday 24 October, at the Grand Opera House, presented by York Stage. Tuesday to Saturday 7.30pm, Saturday 2.30pm, Sunday 4pm. Age 12+. From £12.73 (ATG Tickets).

Later in October

  • Yorkshire Marathon and Yorkshire 10 Mile, Sunday 18 October, marathon 9.30am and 10 mile 10.15am, both from University Road at the University of York, last runner expected at 5.30pm (Run For All). If you are not running, it matters for the roads: see our Yorkshire Marathon road closures page for every closure and time.
  • Steve Hackett: Best of Genesis and Solo Gems, Friday 23 October, 7.45pm, at York Barbican (York Barbican).
  • Ghost Week VII, Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November. The York Ghost Merchants’ seventh Ghost Week, with a full programme and ticketing on their page. There are no Guild Room appointments on Wednesday 28 October (The York Ghost Merchants).
  • The Little York Ghost Hunt, Monday 26 to Wednesday 28 October, 6pm to 8pm only, on the streets around York Minster. 250 little ghosts are hidden each evening, finders keepers. Free, all ages, no tickets (The York Ghost Merchants).
  • Hallowtween at York Maze, Saturday 24 to Saturday 31 October, closed Monday 26 and Tuesday 27, at Elvington Lane, YO19 5LT. Four haunted houses, a stage show and side shows. Entry in 30-minute slots from 12.30pm, last entry 3pm, site closes 5.30pm. Online booking only, prices vary by date, with a £3 booking fee per transaction (Hallowtween).
  • October half term at York Castle Museum, Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November. Tales of Nut-Crack Night, a storytelling show on Kirkgate daily to 31 October; soul cake baking in the Castle Kitchen on 24, 26, 28 and 31 October; and new prison escape trails in the cells, all included in general admission (York Castle Museum).
  • October half term at York Minster, 24 to 31 October. Medieval pilgrims and wax votive making, drop in 10am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 3.30pm from Monday 26 to Saturday 31 October, included with a sightseeing ticket (York Minster).
  • Halloween in Concert, Tuesday 27 October, 7.30pm, at York Barbican. A cast and live band play Halloween hits from Monster Mash and Time Warp to Thriller, with a prize for the best costume (York Barbican).
  • The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Tuesday 27 to Saturday 31 October, 7.30pm, with 2.30pm matinees on Wednesday and Saturday, at the Grand Opera House. A new staging. From £15 (ATG Tickets).
  • Gallery Tales at York Art Gallery, Wednesday 28 October, sessions at 10.15am and 11.30am. Story Craft Theatre’s interactive storytelling for ages 2 to 8, £7 a child including gallery entry (York Art Gallery).
  • The Concert That Must Not Be Named, Saturday 31 October, 7.30pm to 8.45pm, in the Minster’s Nave. Andrew Forbes plays Harry Potter film music, Bach’s Toccata in D minor and other Halloween favourites on the Grand Organ. £10 to £20 (York Minster).
  • Russell Howard: Don’t Tell The Algorithm, Saturday 31 October at 3.30pm and 7.30pm, and Sunday 1 November at 7.30pm, at York Barbican (York Barbican).

Our October half term in York page has the rest of the week, and Halloween in York has the night itself, including the ticketed ghost evenings.

November

  • The Signal-Man, Monday 2 to Sunday 8 November, 7pm, with 5.30pm and 7.30pm on Saturday, at York Medical Society. A Charles Dickens ghost story double bill, run by the Theatre Royal. Age 12+ (York Theatre Royal).
  • Chris Packham’s World of Wonder: A Planet On The Edge, Tuesday 3 November, 7.30pm, at York Barbican (York Barbican).
  • Ghosts After Dark, Wednesday 4 to Sunday 8 November, 5.30pm to 9.30pm, last timed entry 8pm, in York Museum Gardens, King’s Manor courtyard and Library Lawn. All 70 Ghosts in the Gardens sculptures lit up after dark, with six storytellers and a night market. £10 adults, £2 children (York BID). Our Ghosts After Dark page has the route and what to expect.
  • Maisie Adam: Whatsherface, Wednesday 4 November, 7.30pm, at the Grand Opera House. Age 16+. From £27, and ATG was showing availability as low (ATG Tickets).
  • Nosferatu with Live Score, Thursday 5 November, 8pm, at the Theatre Royal’s Main House. The 1922 film with Chris Green’s score, first commissioned by English Heritage for Whitby Abbey, played live (York Theatre Royal).
  • Seann Walsh: This Is Torture, Friday 6 November, 8pm, at the Theatre Royal’s Main House. Strictly 14+ (York Theatre Royal).
  • Gareth Malone, Saturday 7 November, 4pm, at the Grand Opera House. Songs from the movies, with the audience singing too. From £37, maximum ten tickets per household (ATG Tickets).
  • Rawcliffe Bar Country Park bonfire and fireworks, Saturday 7 November. The date comes from YorkMix, which co-hosts the volunteer-run display for The Fire Fighters Charity; times and tickets are not out yet (YorkMix). Our York fireworks page has how the night has run in past years.

  • Dame Judi Dench: Is It Too Late To Make A Run For It?, Sunday 8 November, 3pm, at the Theatre Royal’s Main House. Judi Dench in conversation about her new memoir. Age 14+. Sold out, with the Theatre Royal showing no tickets left on 2 October (York Theatre Royal).

  • By Royal Appointment, Tuesday 10 to Saturday 14 November, 7.30pm, with matinees at 2pm on Thursday and 2.30pm on Saturday, at the Theatre Royal’s Main House. Daisy Goodwin’s play about the late Queen and the dresser who ran her wardrobe, with Jane Asher as the Queen, Laura Main, David Robb and Matthew Cottle. Post-show discussion after the Thursday evening performance. Age 14+ (York Theatre Royal).

  • York Christmas Market opens, Thursday 12 November, and runs to Monday 21 December, 10.30am to 7pm, Wednesday to Monday, on Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square. It is closed every Tuesday this year, a trial rest day, and closes at 5pm on 21 December (Visit York). Our York Christmas Market page has why the Tuesdays are shut.

Remembrance Sunday is 8 November too, but City of York Council has not yet published this year’s parade; our Remembrance Sunday page has last year’s timetable and will be updated when it does. The two pantomimes open on 4 and 5 December: see York panto 2026.

Regular events

  • Shambles Market, every day, 9am to 5pm, at 5 Silver Street, YO1 8RY. The city’s daily market, with York’s largest group of independent traders and a food court, run by Make It York (Make It York).
  • York parkrun, every Saturday at 9am on the tarmac service road around York Racecourse. A free, timed 5k; walk, jog, run or volunteer. It is cancelled on Saturday 10 October because the venue is unavailable, which is the Saturday of the October race meeting (York parkrun).

Getting there

The Theatre Royal, the Minster, the Art Gallery and York Medical Society are all within a few minutes’ walk of each other at the north end of the city centre, and the Barbican, the Castle Museum and the Grand Opera House sit together at the south end. On marathon Sunday and on the race days, plan the car around the closures: our pages on parking in York and roadworks and travel have the current picture.

This page is rewritten as organisers confirm new dates. Everything on it was rechecked on 4 October 2026. Dates can still change, so use the links before you travel. More in our What’s On section.

Send us your event

Running something in York or the villages around it? Email hello@theyorktimes.co.uk with the date, time, venue, price and a photo. Listings are free of charge, and once we have checked the details with you the event goes on this page and in the diary on our What’s On section.

Sources